Some women are born with thin hair. Others develop it as they age. However, this can be avoided, or at least dealt with and safeguarded against, if you are aware of the numerous causes of thinning hair. The environment, your lifestyle, your diet and disease all play a part in your hair's health.
Medical Conditions
If your hair has suddenly and mysteriously become thin, and perhaps is even falling out, it could be caused by an underlying condition, such as lupus or arthritis, that you are unaware of. If you are anemic (iron deficient), this prevents your hair from being healthy, according to American Hair Loss. In addition, if you are afflicted with an endocrine disease, such as hypo- or hyperthyroidism, this can do damage to your hair and make it thin and lifeless as well as cause hair loss.
Stress
An unrelenting diet of anxiety and stress can destroy the health of your hair, making it thin and dry, according to Ayurveda-herbal-remedy.
Telogen Effluvium
Hairdiseases.com notes that a condition called telogen effluvium is a disease that causes hair to thin and fall out. If you have this condition, your hair may thin on top but not on the bottom or sides. A receding hairline generally does not occur when an individual is suffering from telogen effluvium but hair loss can happen on other parts of your body including your eyebrows and pubic hair. Telogen effluvium is a temporary condition and your hair follicles will not be permanently destroyed.
Medication
If you are taking birth control pills, antidepressants, blood thinners, anti-seizure medication, undergoing chemotherapy or taking gout medicine, this can cause your hair to become very thin and may cause it to fall out, according to Allhairlosstreatments.com (eee Additional Resources).
Hats
Wearing a hat that is too small or too tight can wreak havoc on your hair, according to Hairfinder.com. Your hair may end up becoming thin, or a bare spot might develop if your hat is cutting off circulation to your hair follicles.
Hormones
Hormonal imbalances can cause to thin, particularly during menopause or shortly after you've given birth, according to Womentowomen.com (see Additional Resources). Estrogen levels dip during menopause and this can cause dry, thinning hair. The diminishing of estrogen along with the escalation of the male hormone testosterone during menopause can cause hair loss. Hair does not fall out as it normally does while you are pregnant. That's why pregnant women tend to have glorious heads of hair. However, about 90 days after giving birth, the hormones shift and your hair may become noticeably thinner and fall out in clumps. This is a temporary condition.
Diet
If you have a poor diet and don't take a multi-vitamin, your hair will pay the price. Take Vitamin B (including Biotin, B5 B6 and B12) Vitamins A, C, E and get adequate amounts of protein into your diet because hair is made up of protein. You also need zinc and magnesium in your system to promote healthy, full hair, according to Surviving-hairloss.com. Vitamin E and C contain antioxidants that can fight free radicals (such as smoke and pollutants) that can damage the health of your hair and cause it to thin and fall out. Vitamin E also works to improve our circulation and expands the oxygen in our system. This is beneficial to the hair and scalp.
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